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Neotropical Euphorbiaceae s.l.
Mabea
SUMMARY
Trees, shrubs or climbers, monoecious. Exudate (from cut stems) present, white. Unarmed. Indumentum present, hairs dendritic (multicellular, usually coloured). Stipules free, simple, unlobed, entire, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, alternate, simple, unlobed, base symmetrical, margin toothed or entire, blade not pellucid-punctate, upper surface without glands, lower surface with (or rarely without) a row of glands more or less near margin, sometimes also minutely papillate or whitish-powdery; venation pinnate or sometimes with 3 veins from base; domatia absent*; stipel-like structures absent. Petioles short, without swellings or bends at base or apex*, without glands. Inflorescence with axis, axillary or terminal, raceme-like, female flowers in basal part, or 0, male flowers in upper part, the male part of the inflorescence often falling away later; bracts of side branches small or leaf-like to varying degrees, glandular or not, floral bracts with or without a pair of elliptic glands, glands sometimes very conspicuous, not leaf-like, green; floral buds initially covered by large bracts; pedicels present, distinct, articulated or not. Male flowers: sepals 4–6, partially fused, greenish; petals 0; disc 0; stamens 3–about 100, filaments almost absent or distinct, free; anther without conspicuous modification, thecae extrorse in bud; pistillode absent. Female flowers: sepals (3–) 6 (–9), partially fused, without glands or with few to many elliptic glands at margins, greenish; petals 0; disc 0; ovary locules 3, ovules per locule 1; styles 3, completely fused into a short or long column (stigmas free)*, stigmas 3, free, entire, not flat*, surface smooth*; staminodes absent. Fruit dehiscent, smooth or horned, densely hairy, greenish to brown; seed with or without small caruncle, with no other covering or membranous layer; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.
An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.
World Checklist: about 40 spp.
With thanks to Hans-Joachim Esser (Botanische Staatssammlung München) for help with this genus.